Petersen Automotive Museum

A definitive must on any car lover’s list is a visit to the Peterson Automotive Museum. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the Petersen Auto Museum is one of the most well-known car museums in the country. Founded by Robert E. Petersen, the creator of Peterson Publishing and magazines like The Motor Trend and the Hot Rod, the museum features rare cars – a spectacular sight for any car enthusiast.

Encompassing more than 300,000 square feet, this auto museum is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful museums in the world. The front portion of the building is located on Wilshire Boulevard. The main entrance of the building is in the back side, adjacent to the multistory parking lot. Tours are organized twice a day during week days and four times a day on weekends.

Collections at the Museum

The main gallery of the Petersen Automotive Museum features more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. The remaining half of the collection is kept in a vault, which is located in the basement of the museum. On the ground floor, the virtual history of automobiles is beautifully displayed. The second floor displays both permanent and special exhibits. The third floor comprises of the May Family Children’s Discovery Center, where kids can learn science through the workings of a car. The fourth floor features a conference hall, Founder’s lounge and kitchen for corporate and private use. Some of the classic cars in the museum include a 1958 Dual-Ghia and a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle.

The goal of this museum is not to display vast rows of automobiles, but to tell the story of Southern California’s development as the first automobile based metropolis.

Hours and Closings

The hours of operation are 10 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.